B-Corps and climate compatible development in Brighton and Hove

B-Corps and climate compatible development in Brighton and Hove

We (Nicky Lumb and Simon Maxwell) ran a session on B-Corps and climate compatible development at the B-Corps Activation Day in Brighton on 11 March 2025.

The ‘exam question’ was to ask these innovative and environmentally-conscious business leaders what they needed to realise their potential, (a) from Government, and (b) from the local authority.

Nicky Lumb introduced the work of Climate:Change on socially inclusive climate solutions for Brighton and Hove, emphasising its role as an independent, non-partisan and non-party-political think-tank on the issue.

Simon Maxwell gave a presentation, the transcript of which is here. He began by celebrating the role of B-Corps, with their focus on being inclusive, equitable and regenerative – as well as being successful in a business sense. This resonated well with the concept of ‘climate compatible development’, linking climate change mitigation and adaptation with a wider focus on the Sustainable Development Goals. He then made the point that despite all the bad news about climate change, there was a positive narrative to draw out about the potential of a green transition: this was a ‘moment’ that could be built upon, with net zero commitments both nationally and in Brighton and Hove.

Simon ran through emissions data for Brighton and Hove, and summarised the City’s strategic priorities, including decarbonisation, adaptation, city planning, and economic development. He emphasised the importance of looking at all these holistically in the context of a vision for 2040. Brighton and Hove was currently a £10bn economy, with a population of 280,000 and around 15,000 businesses. By 2040, it might be a £20bn economy, with maybe 400,000 people, and a greater proportion of B-Corps or otherwise sustainable businesses. Simon asked whether Brighton and Hove could become a climate compatible or green ‘beacon’ on the South Coast. What would this look like, and what would it take to get there?

Participants then divided into Groups to answer the exam question. What did they ‘need’ from central and local Government.

There were common themes: support to environmentally-focused business, both regulatory and financial, and celebrating good practice; supporting policy priorities with skill development; exploiting the potential of public procurement to drive change; making sure a holistic approach was taken to environment and nature (including the sea); investing in climate literacy; making sustainable choices easier.

In terms of national Government, issues raised included:

·         Legislating for repairability and against single use.

·         Appointing future generation ambassadors.

·         More climate assemblies.

·         Education reform.

·         Better subsidies for heat pumps.

·         Addressing disparities in costs between gas and electricity.

For Brighton and Hove City Council, issues included

·         Building the long-term vision to 2040.

·         Supporting green businesses through reductions in business rates.

·         Having a directory of sustainable businesses and supporting them via a campaign.

·         Regulating developers to achieve green outcomes.

·         Working regionally as well as locally.

·         Action to improve recycling options locally.

Tim Rowkins, Cabinet Lead for Net Zero, responded to the discussion. He welcomed the engagement with B -Corps, and more generally with environmentally and socially concerned businesses in the City. He endorsed the need for a holistic vision of Brighton and Hove as a climate compatible beacon in 2040. He was keen that the City should leverage its assets, including the cultural strengths of the City, as well as its proximity to the sea and the Downs. We should also think regionally, however: devolution could offer significant opportunities. Decarbonisation was an important priority, as described in the Decarbonisation Pathways Study: he recognised that it was a challenging agenda, and would need broad support, including on skill development. He was glad to be working with the B-Corps community.

Closing the session, Nicky Lumb thanked the B-Corps organisers and the participants for a fruitful discussion. She especially thanked Demi Heath and Abb-D Taiyo for their invitation. She encouraged everyone to engage with Climate:Change and to attend its events.

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Nicky Lumb and Simon Maxwell are the Co-Chairs of Climate:Change.

Perspective pieces are the responsibility of the authors, and do not commit Climate:Change in any way.